"floating" the river

rachann28

So in a few weeks, a group of friends want to go float the near by river. (to those who dont have this sort of thing in their area. you rent huge inner-tubes and literally float all day) I'm just worried about being in the sun all day. I can get out of the tube and hold on and swim a long too if I get too hot. And obviously I'd use a bunch of sunscreen...but for the majority of the day you are butt down in the tube, belly up? Has anyone done this while preggo? It shouldn't be much different than swimming all day but I'm just being paranoid I think..throw my your thoughts! 

Schrodenger

I've been canoeing several times and spent hours in the water. You will be fine. Have fun!!!

jkg0527

I asked my dr about this the other day bc we'd like to go before school starts. (I'm a teacher he is a coach.) She said as long as I stay hydrated, sunscreened, and the water was not too choppy I was good to go!

Erino901

I think you'll be fine.... if you get uncomfortable, you can always be "in" the tube (with your whole body in the tube, down in the water) with just your arms around the tube.  That's really my favorite way to go sometimes, because you can see what's infront of you and your body feels weightless because it's mostly in the water.  However, I have no experience maneuvering positions back and forth on the tube while pregnant, that might be your only challenge.   But for the most part I think it sounds like a lovely, fun day!  

I would make sure you had plenty of water, too - does the company you're renting the tubes from also rent cooler floats?  That's what we always do - pack a cooler with lunch and drinks so we have it with us while we're floating.  That way you won't risk getting dehydrated and have a snack if you need one while you're out there!

Todd&Laura

Sounds like fun!! I agree with PPs. Use common sense and enjoy yourself:)

Swainb

I don't know about the particular river you are going in, but I wouldn't in the river near me. It's not the sun I'm worried about it's the huge rocks that you sometimes catch with your butt. It can be pretty forceful and I don't want to risk it. but if this is not a problem in your river I say go for it. 

rachann28

Erino901:

I think you'll be fine.... if you get uncomfortable, you can always be "in" the tube (with your whole body in the tube, down in the water) with just your arms around the tube.  That's really my favorite way to go sometimes, because you can see what's infront of you and your body feels weightless because it's mostly in the water.  However, I have no experience maneuvering positions back and forth on the tube while pregnant, that might be your only challenge.   But for the most part I think it sounds like a lovely, fun day!  

I would make sure you had plenty of water, too - does the company you're renting the tubes from also rent cooler floats?  That's what we always do - pack a cooler with lunch and drinks so we have it with us while we're floating.  That way you won't risk getting dehydrated and have a snack if you need one while you're out there!

 

yes they do! definitely lots of water! Of course its an excuse for everyone else to drink but I'll be the hydrated sober one yeah that was my main concern...I'm not huge yet but I can see myself looking like a fool trying to get my butt back in there haha but it should be a good time, we're going camping the day before...only problem I have with that is the heat, Texas in August isnt fun, even at night

sydsmom04

I tried this with my last pregnancy and it was a huge fail. Check with the tube rental people before you go. They would not rent me the tube because I was pregnant and it would be a liability if I/ baby were injured. We ended up going and buying tubes and floating anyway but just in case you were planning on renting from someone. Eta: I am in Texas too. We tried the rockin r...

goofyteacher

I think it sounds fun and I'm sure you will be fine if you keep hydrated.  We have a lazy river at our pool and the only thing I've noticed is that it's not a comfortable position for me to be in for very long so you might find your self needing to move around more.

rachann28

you can also get a tube with a hard bottom! I hate when anything touches my butt and I don't know what it is! 

ungraceful13

Just drink water, keep sunscreen on and you will be fine.

rachann28

sydsmom04:

I tried this with my last pregnancy and it was a huge fail. Check with the tube rental people before you go. They would not rent me the tube because I was pregnant and it would be a liability if I/ baby were injured. We ended up going and buying tubes and floating anyway but just in case you were planning on renting from someone.Eta: I am in Texas too. We tried the rockin r...

 

 

REALLY?! ): thats where we're going...shoot I will call ahead, thanks for the info! 

PotomacSt

Yeah, IMO, I wouldn't go. It's not like going to a water park- you never know what you're going to run into. I went floating last year and came within a few inches of cracking my head open. The river was lower that normal and there was a fallen tree just under the surface that we couldn't get the raft over. We all had to climb out of the raft to get it over, and I slipped getting out and face-planted into the water, a couple inches from the fallen tree. And yeah, I was completely sober!

 

 

Emerson2007

I went "tubing" as we call it here a few years back, and for us, it was very dangerous because the currents were so strong. It had rained a lot and the rental place let us know the current was strong. Of course, we were young and still went (my first time). We did ok at first, but we really picked up speed. When we got to the rocky area or small waterfall drop, we all crashed and I had to be pulled out by someone on the riverbank. The current was too strong for me to get out alone. My friend and I were cut badly on the rocks and had to go by ambulance for stitches. So in my mind, tubing is dangerous, but I only did it once under bad conditions. If your river is more slow, not a strong current, or rocky, then I think you would have fun. 

Kristen050

Our friends do a trip like this every year. 2 years ago I did it 8 months pregnant (and actually gave birth a week later. It was fine and totally relaxing. I asked my doc before I went and she was fine with it. Like others said just stay hydrated.  This years trip is in a few weeks and I'm so excited!

Meagan0528

I have been several times this year and it's been great! Just take lots of water.

wesleycrusher

another thing to think about...if you have hemerrhoids it can be really uncomfortable to sit in a tube like that. dh and i have season passesto a water park near our house and i learned after 2 trips there it is too uncomfortable to go around the lazy once let alone be in a tube all day. sorry for any typos and not using caps...my cell phone does not let me fix any mistakes.

Mrs.DeliaMarieP

I think it sounds great!  Definitely reapply sunscreen frequently and take a dip now-and-then, but other than that, everything else should be fine!

karkissy09

I actually just went on a float trip a few weeks ago--I was 22 weeks at the time. I wore a cover up to protect my belly, but wore it into the water and stuff so it'd also keep me cool all day. We also threw some strawberries and tons of water in the cooler (along with beer for everyone else) so I had some snacks throughout the day. We ended up getting a canoe because the water was too low, but planned to raft until then. Hopefully you're bringing some guys in case your water level is low and they have to pull you through any low spots.

brittandjp

A girl on my BMB went a few weeks ago and had a great time. Depending on how far along you are, I'd probably go. Although like one PP said, if you're pretty far and very obviously showing, the may not rent you the tube.

Lather up in sunscreen, bring tons of water, stay hydrated, and have fun!

Willow0101

So I may be the one who has a different approach to this but it is only from past experience. We have a river here called the salt river and I have gone tubing down it handful of times pre-pregnancy. I ALWAYS get sick!! There are so many people tubing down the river and even though I am obviously not drinking river water, I still get sick. Lord knows what these kids are doing in the water. It was also really crazy at some points where I have fallen out of my tube. I am small but even my husband flew out of his tube. I guess it just depends where you are doing it. I have tubed the Mississippi river and that was nice and peaceful and much cleaner!  

this decaf life

Just make sure to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before ou head put, keep some extra wih you and water to stay hydrated an you should be great!

Chappy_jr

We all went tubing after our friends' shower earlier this summer.  She was about 32-33 weeks at the time and was fine - actually she said it was incredibly relaxing.  She wore shorts and a loose top over her bathing suit.  

Mash67

We do this all the time. Out next trip is planned for october and I will be around 6 months. When we go we always bring a cooler with drinks and snacks. I'm sure you will be fine as long as you stay hydrated.

Stillharbor

I went deep sea fishing all day.  Just make sur you're diligent wit the sunscreen.  And getting in the water to cool off would be perfect.  It'll also allow you the chance to stretch and change positions.  Have fun!